Of all the post-war Aston Martins, the gracefully sleek DB4 is most admired for its robust British engineering, combined with elegant Italian lines in perfect proportions. The specification included a new and robust steel platform chassis engineered by Harold Beech, who had recently taken over as Aston Martin chief engineer. In production form, this rigid frame underpinned a sleek, virtually unadorned fastback body designed by Touring of Milan, utilizing their vaunted Superleggera construction, which features a skeleton of small-diameter steel tubing covered by hand-formed aluminum alloy body panels. The coachwork was constructed by Aston Martin, under license from Touring. The new chassis featured independent front suspension and a live rear axle well-located by trailing arms and a Watt’s linkage. Four-wheel disc brakes plus rack-and-pinion steering were specified for the first time; both items were advanced for their day and offered conspicuously ahead of adoption by Ferrari.

The most exciting development, however, was the innovative, alloy, twin-cam 3.7-liter straight-six engine created by Tadek Marek and based upon the DBR2 racing motor. With twin SU carburetors, it was rated at 240 brake horsepower and produced the prodigious torque for which these DB series Astons have become famous.

CHASSIS NUMBER DB4/580/L

The car offered here is a Series II DB4, a model that addressed a number of problem areas associated with early production yet still retained the original, uncomplicated look of the initial design. The perforated grille, tall bonnet scoop, and one-piece "cathedral" taillights exemplified the classic style, making the second-series cars especially desirable to devoted enthusiasts of the model.

An original factory left-hand-drive car, chassis number DB4/580/L was delivered new by Southern California distributor Charles Hornburg to its Los Angeles-based original owner, who is thought to be a Mr. J.A. Rogers. Mr. Rogers was quite the Aston enthusiast, as he also owned one of the rare Bertone-bodied DB2/4s (LML/550). He traded both to Oregon-based dealer Ron Tonkin for a Ferrari in the mid-’70s. Ultimately, the DB4 was acquired in British Columbia, Canada, by its current U.S. owner, with known past owners (four in all) residing on the West Coast. An impressively solid example that retains its original color of Caribbean Pearl, it completed a 1,200-mile Canadian rally, The Spring Thaw, in April 2014.

The car was imported and delivered to marque specialists Kevin Kay Restorations in Redding, California, for a thorough appraisal of its condition. The underside was found to be remarkably clean, in its factory-original red oxide primer finish, and free of the masking undercoating that can sometimes be a troublesome trap for moisture. Although it was a strong runner with clearly well-maintained mechanicals, a not atypical leak was found at the rear main seal area. To repair this properly, removal of the engine was required, and the updated Steel Wings-developed sealing kit was installed. With the engine casing apart, the crankshaft was examined, and it was recommended that a regrind would be beneficial, as well as replacement of the main bearings. In addition, a new clutch disk, pressure plate, and clutch slave cylinder were installed. With the motor out, the engine bay was detailed to show standards, as was the engine overall (utilizing proper Jubilee hose clamps, etc.), prior to reinstallation once its bottom-end rebuild was completed, as specified above.

With its excellent body and paint, all noted surface imperfections were attended to and the bumpers were re-plated for good measure. Now complemented with a sparkling engine bay, the interior was looking incongruously subpar, so the decision was made to complete a total re-trim, including full upholstery using the finest Connolly-type hides (in the original Dark Blue), with contrasting grey Wilton wool carpets, a new headliner, and a refinished dashboard.

Already as handsome as one may find, the car is set apart by its set of rare factory-optional Borrani wire wheels (including the spare wheel), which are shod in Vredestein Sprint Classic radial tires. The DB4 is also equipped with its original Motorola radio, as well as a lovely pair of authentic Marchal driving lamps. A full complement of sought-after extras are included: the original jack, leather-bound owner’s handbook, and tool roll; a series-correct original color sales brochure; its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate; a copy of its original factory build sheet; restoration invoices; and correspondence between prior owners. The odometer shows just over 62,000 miles today, which are believed original due to its obvious structural integrity and well-preserved undercarriage.

The only thing left to do is to drive it with pleasure and display it with pride, knowing you own a distinguished Series II example with a high degree of authenticity, as well as a recently overhauled original engine, solid chassis, fully serviced mechanicals, and superb, concours-ready cosmetic freshening by uncompromising experts. This Aston Martin DB4 is certainly among the finest available anywhere, and it invites close inspection.